In the late afternoon of Friday, May 5, 2023, Richard Crank Jr., a 32-year-old man, was shot and killed at a residence on Faires Road, located off McConnells Highway just southwest of Rock Hill, South Carolina. The incident cut short the life of a man who was a graduate of Northwestern High School's class of 2009, where he had been a member of the wrestling and football teams.
An altercation at the Faires Road home preceded the fatal shooting.
Stephen Josiah Brooks, 34, also of Rock Hill, was present at the house, reportedly to get his hair braided. An argument broke out between Brooks and Crank, who was unarmed. During the confrontation, Brooks shot Crank multiple times. After the shooting, it was reported that Brooks took pictures of the scene and covered Crank's body with blankets. He also allegedly took phones from other people at the residence while armed.
Law enforcement officers from the York County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, and Faires Road was closed for the duration of their investigation. Brooks was taken into custody as a person of interest shortly after the incident. He was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Additionally, he faced three counts of kidnapping for allegedly taking phones from others at the scene. Brooks claimed he acted in self-defense.
Initially charged with murder, which carries a sentence of 30 years to life in South Carolina, Brooks later entered into a negotiated plea deal. In April 2024, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement, the kidnapping and weapons charges were dismissed. A Circuit Court Judge sentenced Stephen Josiah Brooks to the maximum of 15 years in prison for the death of Richard Crank Jr. Brooks is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence, as parole is not available for voluntary manslaughter. He was given credit for the 340 days he had been incarcerated since his arrest.
